Welcome to The Markup, our weekly insights and analysis of the latest in election law and policy.
We are tracking 531 bills prefiled or introduced this session across 35 states. Our analysis finds that 126 bills restrict voter access or election administration while 242 bills improve voter access or election administration. Special legislative sessions are kicking off today in Florida and Tennessee.
IMPROVE VOTER ACCESS OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
Virginia advances proposed constitutional amendment to restore voting rights to citizens with past felony convictions and bill to extend voter registration deadline.
The Virginia Senate approved S.J.R. 248, a proposed constitutional amendment that would restore voting rights to individuals with past felony convictions upon their release. If passed by both chambers next session, the amendment will go before voters for final approval. Virginia is one of only four states that does not automatically restore voting rights. A Virginia Senate committee unanimously advanced S.B. 991, a bipartisan proposal extending the voter registration deadline from 21 days to 10 days before an election. The Senate also blocked two restrictive bills: S.B. 1070 (adding strict photo ID requirements) and S.B. 1072 (shortening early voting).
Mississippi to consider in-person early voting.
The Mississippi Senate Elections Committee is expected to consider S.B. 2654, which proposes a 15-day in-person early voting period. Mississippi is one of only three states without in-person early voting.
RESTRICT VOTER ACCESS OR ELECTION ADMINISTRATION
Wyoming advances restrictive voter registration bills, including proof of citizenship requirement.
The Wyoming House approved two restrictive bills: H.B. 157 (requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote), and H.B. 156 (mandating new residents live in the state for 30 days to be voting-eligible). These bills now head to the Senate. A House committee also advanced H.B. 131 (prohibiting drop boxes for mail ballots) and H.B. 160 (removing student IDs as valid voter ID) for consideration by the full chamber. A Senate committee also advanced S.B. 78, which would prohibit individuals and organizations from distributing mail ballot applications.
Arizona advances bill to eliminate in-person early voting and countywide voting centers.
The Arizona House advanced two restrictive bills last week. H.B. 2017 would end in-person early voting and ban countywide vote centers. H.B. 2007 would prohibit paying people for collecting voter registration forms. These bills now move to the House Rules Committee for consideration.
ON OUR RADAR
Supreme Court declines to hear election cases from Montana and Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Supreme Court left lower court rulings in place after it declined to hear cases from Montana and Pennsylvania. The Montana secretary of state sought to revive two elections bills struck down by state courts: S.B. 169 (limiting the types of acceptable voter ID) and H.B. 176 (eliminating Election Day voter registration). Pennsylvania voting rights groups aimed to challenge Pennsylvania’s requirement that officials reject mail ballots with missing or incorrect dates, even if they are received on time.
This update is powered by VRL’s State Voting Rights Tracker. To receive in-depth analysis each month, subscribe to The Lever.